The Sovereignty of God

 

Jonah is a great illustration of the Sovereignty of God. God spoke.  Jonah ran. God provides visual aids to get Jonah’s attention (disastrous storm, throwing sailors, puking fish, plant, worm, and a scorching east wind).  “You can do it My way or My way.” It is always God's way. The Sovereignty of God.

Expectation with Prepared Anticipation

 

30 Second Encouragement: In the mid-1800's, in a small town in Ohio, they were experiencing a major drought. A young pastor awoke one Sunday morning compelled to pray (yet again) for rain—but this time it would be different. He started the service asking God to bring the rain and he continued on with the service. Halfway through, there were sounds of thunder & the rain fell. It was noted later that Charles Finney was (oddly) seen carrying an umbrella to church that morning. His prayer was no different than others who prayed—except he came prepared. Jesus said (it's in red) to pray with expectation, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matt 7:7-8). Expectation with prepared anticipation. May we open our umbrellas today. Happy Monday.

Theology Thursday - Worship

 

Worship. Sadly, our society has shifted the true design of worship from being solely directed to God - to placing whoever, whatever WE want at the front and center of our adoration. Biblical worship is directed toward—GOD ALONE. It is the "bowing down" in reverence, devotion, attributing glory & honor. "Honor the LORD for the glory of His name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness" (King David - Ps 29:2, NLT). May we be so very aware of what/who we bow down to.

Coram Deo

 

Coram Deo.  Latin and basically means "Before the face of God." I cannot imagine what my life would look like if I SERIOUSLY considered this prior to beginning each day, each conversation and each action. Making myself aware that whatever I am doing (reading, watching, listening to) wherever I am going and how I am acting is under the gaze of God. Not with the mindset, "OH, better not—God is watching" but the heart attitude of being so profoundly aware of His sovereignty. That I live my life under the authority of God—to the glory of God. "Coram Deo!"

Biblical Interpretation

 

When reading the Bible, there are 2 types of Interpretation: 1st) Exegesis is proper interpretation, the "leading out" of the text, (pulling out the true meaning) conveying the original author's intent (looking at language, culture and the big story).  Where 2). Eisegesis is "pushing into" the text. It is concerned with interjecting one's ideas to make a point or reading into the text what they hope to find. May we be intentional with our handling and understanding of the Word of God.

Giants to Slay

 

Giants to Slay

“Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33, emphasis mine).

I LOVE the story of David and Goliath. Big nasty dude yelling stupid things about God and God’s people. But one day a boy comes to camp. Goliath continues yelling, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (v10). Goliath is not just asking for any opponent; he wants a man. A grown, trained, mature, “give me a challenge” —man.

There is but one response. David. Scholars believe him to be about seventeen(ish) when he told King Saul “Send me.” Saul’s response basically says, “You are but a boy, an adolescent. The situation is beyond you—beyond what you are.”

Saul tries to get David to wear his suit of armor. “I cannot go in these” he says (v39). There was no hesitation on David’s part. There was no “give me a minute while I figure this out.” He takes his sling, stick and smooth stones and RUNS toward Goliath. I must add, Goliath’s shield-bearer was out there too (v41). Not so tough now, big guy! David swung his sling, the stone hit the target. Down went the opposing giant of a man. Goliath called for a man. King Saul declares a mere boy. David did what God called him to do. Victory!

What is God calling us to?

May there be no hesitation in us when we are called beyond what we seem to be. Perhaps too young, untrained, too small. Or possibly too big, or too old.

Chances are we’ll run into a Saul now and then, but don’t let them pull out their measuring stick and attempt to size us up, their assumption has nothing to do with what God can do through us! Let us not begin a wardrobe change, trying to fit into someone else’s stuff. But take up what we know. His word. His presence and RUN toward what God calls us to. I'm sure if you wish to yell, “For Narnia!” God will understand.

We all have giants to slay.

Now go.

Hacked

 

It was presented recently (Dallas Theological Seminary "Covenants" class) that our “conscience can not only be seared, but it can also be HACKED” (to use a modern analogy). Agreed! To hack is to gain unauthorized access. It is done creatively, secretively, with hopes of being undetected. We HAVE to get our mind and heart guarded—SECURE. It is only done with the Spirit and the word of God! I side with King David, "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken" (Ps 16:8). Got me the ultimate security system. You?

Found

 

I recently read the statement, "God reveals Himself to a people that aren't even looking for Him." I thought about that for days.  Thinking of the “in and out” relationship the people of Israel had with God.  Soon I placed myself in the people category. Frankly I too wasn't looking for God at the age of sixteen, but yet there HE WAS! I was lost and didn't know it. Found by a God I wasn't even looking for.  God tells the folks through Isaiah, "I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me” (Isaiah 65:1). 

Remember good old Abe?  He settled in the land of Haran, God told him to move on and go to a land He would show him.  Abram wasn't looking to move let alone looking for God.  Abram was busy, looking elsewhere, he wasn't looking for God.  Yet there He was—looking at Abram. 

How many of us too weren't looking?  We were busy elsewhere.  Thank You God for making Yourself known, seen and heard.  Thank You that even when we weren't aware of our lostness, YOU revealed Yourself.  

Found.